Winding machine



Oct. 31, 1967 w M BENSE 3,350,022

WINDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 17, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet l x qn l i 3 51 g '5' '7 (D INVENTOR.

WILLIAM/M/BENSE ATTORNE Oct. 31, 19 67 w. M. BENSE 3,350,022

WINDING- MACHINE Filed Jan. 17, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGZ IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS Oct. 31, 1967 w, BENsE 3,350,022

WINDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 17, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 WILLIAM H ENSE F|G9 M ATTORNE United States Patent 3,350,022 WINDING MACHINE William M. Bense, Barrington, R.I., assignor to Leesona Corporation, Warwick, R.I., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Jan. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 521,092 Claims. (Cl. 242-45) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A winding machine for winding a plurality of yarn strands into separate packages while maintaining tension in each strand constant. The tension control element for each strand is rendered inactive upon cessation of winding of its associated strand.

This invention relates generally to winding machines and specifically relates to an improved winding apparatus for winding a plurality of packages of yarn or other strandular material.

In the following specification and claims, the term yarn is employed in a general sense to apply to all kinds of strand material, either textile or otherwise, and the designation package is intended to mean the product of a winding machine, whatever its form.

In winding yarn into a suitable package, it is desirable and often times mandatory that the tension imposed upon a strand remain essentially constant. Should the tension not remain constant during the Winding operation, the yarn may be unduly stretched thereby alterning its nominal diameter and adversely affecting its appearance, or the yarn may incur other forms of damage, including breakage and even collapse of the package being wound.

One example of a precision winding machine which maintains yarn tension within closely prescribed limits is disclosed in the commonly assigned patent to Keith, No. 3,048,343 issued Aug. 7, 1962. Winding machines based upon the principles set forth in the Keith patent have been marketed extensively and have been operated with considerable success. In recent practice with the Keith apparatus it has been found economically desirable to wind two or more packages simultaneously on the same spindle previously accommodating only one package. This has meant using the same tension controlling means for the supply yarns for both packages. As a result, it has been discovered during such multiple package winding operations that in the event of failure or breakage of one of the plurality of strands being wound, the remaining strand or strands have necessarily taken up the tension force which was previously borne by the interrupted strand. Because this added tension on the remaining strand or strands could have serious adverse effects upon the quality of the yarn, it has been deemed desirable to provide a mechanism which would maintain the tension constant on each of a plurality of strands being wound, not only during normal'winding but even when one or more of the strands might break.

Briefily, the invention herein provides a winding machine with a rotating spindle having two or more package-receiving cores arranged in axial alignment. Compensating arms, as for example those disclosed in the above-cited Keith patent, are arranged to intercept each strand are provided, there being as many compensating arms as there are strands of supply yarn. The several compensating arms are all connected to a common control unit. Tension on each of the strands of yarn is held constant by means of the compensating arms acting on the control unit. Upon breakage of one of the strands of yarn the tension in the others continues to be held constant by means of their associated compensating arms operat- 3,350,022 Patented Oct. 31, 1967 ing the control unit. The compensator arm which controlled tension in the broken strand is removed from service with no accompanying transfer of tensile force from the parted strand or strands to the remaining strands. In this manner, the remaining packages continue to be wound under conditions of normal tension.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a winding machine adapted to wind a plurality of strands of yarn under conditions of constant tension throughout the winding cycle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a Winding machine adapted to control tension in a plurality of winding strands from a common control unit, and having a plurality of independently operated tension arms connected with the control unit for maintaining the tension in each of the strands substantially constant.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a winding machine having a plurality of tension arms for receiving yarn strands thereon, the arm associated with any given strand being inactivated when the given strand breaks.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved machine for winding a plurality of yarns which will assure continuous winding under substantially constant tension conditions in the active winding strands notwithstanding the inactivation of one of the strands.

Other and further objects will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is a view in perspective showing generally the tension control unit of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective showing of the tension control unit in combination with a conventional winding machine;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the tension control unit;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of tension arms and operating means therefor;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the tension shafting, compensator arms, and switch of the control unit;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of one end of the tension shafting and of the spring tension elements attached thereto;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view, partially in section, taken along lines 88 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 9 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the electrical circuit employed in the mechanism disclosed.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings in FIG. 2 the numeral 10 indicates generally a winding machine such as the one disclosed in the patent to Keith, cited previously, which is capable of winding a continuously advancing strand of yarn under strictly controlled values of tension.

For the multiple package application to be discussed herein, the winding machine is seen to include a rotatable spindle 12 mounted in housing 13 and having a pair of package receiving cores arranged thereon in axial alignment to form the packages 14 and 16. Although only two package receiving cores are illustrated, it is to be understood that the invention herein is not to be so limited, that number being shown merely for convenience and ease of description. Thus throughout the description, when referring to packages or package receiving cores, the word pair may be construed as meaning plurality. Conventional means (not shown) are employed to rotate the spindle 12 and drive the traverse cam 18. A pair of reciprocating yarn guides 20 operated by the traverse cam 18 serve to traverse the strands of yarn Y and Y longitudinally onto the rotating packages 14 and 16.

The base 22 upon which the housing 13 is mounted is adapted to receive into one of its side panels the tension unit 30 comprising the present invention. The latter includes a vertically disposed mounting plate 32 fixed to the side panel 24 by any suitable means. Of course, it will be understood that a portion of the mechanism to be described is situated on the face of plate 32 opposite to that shown in FIG. 2, and that such mechanism extends into the interior of base 22.

Viewing FIG. 1, it will be seen that an arm stop 34 is mounted to the front or outer side of plate 32 and held in place by nuts 36 and associated screws (not shown). Both the upper and lower legs of the arm stop are provided with close fitting resilient sleeves 38 which serve to cushion the impact of the compensator arms 42, 42a against the arm stop 34.

The strands of yarn Y and Y advancing from a source (not shown) pass around wheels 40, 40a which are mounted for rotation at the extremities of compensator arms 42, 42a, respectively. As previously described, the strands extend through the yarn guides 20 which direct the yarn onto the packages 14 and 16 in a suitable fashion. In a manner to be explained shortly, the compensator arms 42, 42a maintain an essentially constant tension in each of the strands of yarn Y and Y Supported on mounting plate 32 as by collar 46 is a tubular member 48, the outer end of which is provided with a boss 50. A bracket 51 is attached to boss 50 and acts as a support for switches 54 and 54a (see FIG. Collar 46 is secured to plate 32 as by welding or other appropriate means. Suitable bearings (not shown) are located at each end of tube 48 to rotatably receive shaft 52. Shaft 52, in turn, extends in one axial direction through mounting plate 32 a short distance and projects into the interior of base 22. In the other direction shaft 52 extends to a point adjacent switches 54, 54a (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 5).

Viewing FIG. 6, a sleeve 56 is fixed to that end of shaft 52 which extends into the interior of the base 22. Sleeve 56 is secured to the shaft by a set screw 61. A pair of screws 60* and associated washers are provided to fasten a pair of flexible cords, cables, or the like 62 to sleeve 56. Springs 64 are similarly attached to the other ends of the flexible cord 62. by means of eyelets or the like.

A U-shaped bracket 72 is fixed by suitable means to the uppermost portion of the internal wall of mounting plate 32. Viewing FIG. 1 the bracket 72 includes spaced parallel ears 74 which are formed with holes to receive a shaft 76 loosely therethrough, the latter being held in position as by retaining rings 76a. A pair of collars 78 and 80 are mounted on shaft 76. In turn, one end of each of a pair of tension bars or arms 82 and 84 are integrally attached to collars 80, 78, respectively. The opopsite ends of arms 82, 84 are pierced to receive the upper ends of springs 64 which, as already described, extend upward from sleeve member 56. Collar 80 is fixed to shaft 76 while collar 78 is mounted for rotation thereon. Thus, arm 82 is, in effect, rigid with shaft 76 while arm 84 is rockable thereabout. Arm 82 has a plate 86 suitably afiixed thereto which has formed thereon an upstanding flange 88 substantially parallel to and spaced from arm 82, see FIG. 4. A pair of plates 90 are likewise secured to arm 82 and serve to restrain a solenoid 92 against longitudinal movement with respect to the tension arms while plate 86 supports solenoid 92 from below.

Integral with the solenoid is a spring biased plunger 94 which is normally held in extended position, but which, upon actuation of the solenoid, is retracted against the bias of a compression spring 96. At the forward end of plunger 94 is a pawl 98, slotted as at 100 (see FIG. 8) to receive, for sliding engagement therewith, pin 102 which is fixedto and extends between flange 88 and arm 82.. A rod 104 fastened to tension arm 84 extends toward arm 82 and has a roller 105 formed thereon which is generally engaged by the pawl 98 such that bar 84 is normally disposed parallel to bar 82 in a generally horizontal plane. Actuation of solenoid 92, however, will cause pawl 98 to withdraw from engagement with roller thereby-allowing arm 84 to drop under the influence of gravity and relieving the tension in spring 64 connected to said arm.

A U-shaped reset lever 106 is located adjacent and legs of U-shape are generally parallel to mounting plate 32. It passes through a suitable hole in the plate 32 as at 108 allowing pivotal movement therein. Viewing FIG. 4, a portion 110 of reset lever 106 extends generally parallel to and adjacent tension arm 84. A projection 112 formed on bar 84 extends laterally for communication with said portion 110. The purpose of lever 106. is to reset arm 84 after the solenoid 92 has acted to withdraw pawl 98 from engagement with roller 105. To so act, the lever 106 is lifted or rotated in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, whereupon portion 110 engages projection 112 lifting arm 84 to the point where roller 105 engages pawl 98 and, riding up on the incline at 114 (see FIG. 8), drives the pawl toward the solenoid and against the force of the spring 96. This process continues up to the point that the pawl slides under roller 105 by the bias of spring 96 thereby locking arm 84 into position parallel to arm 82 until solenoid 92 is once again actuated. The lever 106 is then released and drops to the point where it engages a stop 116 (FIG. 2) which projects from the front of plate 32. Viewing FIG. 4, a bracket 118 is fastened to the interior wall of plate 32. Bracket 118 supports thereon electrical switch 120, the toggle 122 of which is engageable by arm 84 when the solenoid has been actuated and the arm is thus in its lowered or inactive position. Switch is electrically connected to signal lamp 124 which is lighted when toggle 122 is depressed by arm 84.

It was previously explained that the strands of yarn Y and Y advancing from a source and winding onto the packages 14 and 16 pass over the Wheels 40, 40a which are rotatable on the extremities of compensator arms 42, 42a the latter serving to operate instrumentalities acting to maintain an essentially constant tension in the yarn as it is delivered to the traverse mechanism. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 5 arms 42 and 42a are secured to the arm blocks 126 by means of screws 128, the arm blocks, in turn, being rotatably mounted on shaft 52 by means of bearings (not shown). Each arm block 126 is provided with an integral collar 130 and has associated with it a restraining collar 132 fixed to the shaft 52 as by set screws so as to maintain the position the arm blocks 126 on the shaft.

Located centrally of the arm blocks is a projection 134 (see FIG. 7) formed on the shaft 52 and engageable by cars 136 formed on each of the arm blocks 126. Tension is applied to the strands of yarn Y and Y by means of springs 64 acting through shaft 52 and projection 134 formed thereon and through ears 136 formed on arm blocks 126, thence through arms 42, 42a and yarn engaging wheels 40, 40a. As shaft 52 rotates in a counterclockwise manner (as viewed from the right hand side of FIG. 1), projection 134 is seen to urge ears 136 and therefore compensating arms 42, 42a to hear more heavily upon the yarn strands Y and Y Conversely, opposite rotation of shaft 52 will cause a relaxation of the tension upon the advancing strands of yarn.

The mechanism by which rotation of shaft 52 is achieved includes a pie-shaped lever 138, carried on the outer end of shaft 76, see FIG. 2. A link 142, connected to housing 13 by stud shaft 140 is cooperable with lever 138. Thus, as the winding packages 14 and 16 on spindle 12 increase in diameter, housing 13 pivots in a clockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 2) about shaft 140 thereby moving link 142 downward together with associated cam 144, and levers 146 and 138. The pivoting of the housing may be caused by the rolling engagement of the growing packages 14 and 16 on the roller bail 17 of the traverse mechanism or it may be pre-programmed into the spindle depending upon the yarn speed and denier of the yarn being wound. A stop pin 148 restricts the limit of downward movement of link 138 and therefore tension arms 82 and 84 as these elements are moved in the manner just described. Pie-shaped link 138 rotates shaft 76 in a clockwise direction in response to the aforedescribed clockwise movement of housing 13 as packages 14 and 16 grow (see FIG. 2) whereby the tension on springs 64 is decreased. Hence, the tension imparted to yarns Y Y is correspondingly decreased. Such a mechanism is employed because it is desirable that the outer layers of yarn on a yarn package be of a looser wind than the inner layers to prevent collapsing of the core, crushing of the inner layers of yarn, and sloughing of the yarn from the package adjacent its ends. The tension in the springs 64 is initially set by adjusting the position of lever 146 relative to lever 138 and can be held in the chosen position as by a set screw (not shown). Thus, it can be seen that the tension on strands Y and Y is governed, in part, by the size of the packages 14 and 16 as well as by the initial tension manually set into the mechanism. This arrangement may be conveniently referred to herein as coarse adjustment means for applying tension to the yarn.

One embodiment of means for providing fine adjustment of tension to the yarn will now be presented. The alternating current motor M (FIG. 9) employed for driving spindle 12 is of three-phase construction. Each of the phase windings includes a series of resistors contained within the structure indicated at 149 (FIG. 3) electrically connected to it, which resistors are cut into or out of the circuit by actuation of a transducer 150. Movement of compensator arms 42, 42a is transmitted through shaft 52 and sleeve 56 to a link 152. In turn, link 152 positioned eccentrically on sleeve 56 and reciprocates in response to pivotal movement of shaft 52 to regulate transducer 150 and therefore the number of resistors connected in series on each phase winding of the motor. Accordingly, should the tension on the strands Y and Y increase so as to raise the arms 42, 42a shaft 52 will be rotated thereby and the resistance in the motor will be increased so as to decrease the speed thereof and, in consequence, to reduce the rate at which the yarn is being wound.

Reference now is made to FIG. 9 which illustrates an electrical schematic of the switch circuitry employed herein. Supply lines 160 and 162 originate at the source of electromotive force 158 and include fuses 164 and 166 located therein for the customary purposes. The armature 169 of a relay 170 is connected in series with normally open single pole, single throw switch 184 in branch 168 of the electrical circuit. Normally open switch 184 is movable to a momentarily closed position by reset lever 106 as will be subsequently described.

Connected in parallel and extending from line 160 are branches 185 and 185a leading to switches 54 and 54a which are actuated by arms 42 and 42a upon breakage of a strand of yarn being Wound or upon exhaustion of the yarn. During the normal yarn winding operation, the switches are not held by levers 180 of compensator arms '42 and 42a, i.e., to the position indicated by broken lines in FIG. 7 so that each of the branches 185 and 185a is connected to line 186 in which is located the normally open relay switch 174. The latter connects with line 168 on the near side of armature 169, as viewed from supply line 160. In a similar manner, upon breakage or exhaustion of the yarn strands passing over their associated wheels 40 and 40a, switches 54 and 54a are actuated to move to a postiion connecting branches 185 and 185a to line 188 in which is located normally open relay switch 174a. Of course, it will be understood that switches 54 and 54a are independent of one another such that actuation of one switch does not thereby result in actuation of the other switch. Relay switch 174a leads into line 171 via normally closed switch 120, thence to solenoid 92, the far terminal of which extends to side 162 of the electrical source 158. In parallel with solenoid 92, lamp 124 is situated in line 172 which is connected with line 188 via energized relay switch 174a and switch actuated by tension bar 84 following its release by pawl 98.

The armature 169 of relay is also seen to be mechanically connected to normally open switches 190 positioned in each of the lines of the three-phase drive motor M and ganged together so as to move in concert.

The operation of the constant tension mechanism will now be discussed. The operation of the. winding machine commences as follows. Reset lever 106 is raised or moved in a counterclockwise manner as per view of FIG. 2 and arms 42, 42a are raised to remove their associated levers from engagement with toggle 182 of switches 54, 54a. Extension 110 is seen to engage projection 112 on tension arm 84, raising said arm to a horizontal position when it is held against downward movement by pawl 98. Extension 110 also momentarily engages button 184a of normally open switch 184 (FIG. 4), but upon release, the lever drops down onto pin 116 and said extension rotates out of engagement with said button. With particular reference to FIG. 9, it is seen that closure of switch 184, although momentary, permits current flow through branch 168 so as to initially actuate armature 169 of relay 170. Switches 190 are thereby closed permitting the flow of current to motor M which in a conventional manner drives the winding mechanism. Actuation of armature 169 also serves to close normally open switches 174 and 174a. This results in the flow of current via source line 160, via either one of or both lines and 185a and their associated switches 54 and 54a, and via line 186 through relay 170 resulting in continued actuation of said relay and therefore continued operation of motor M even after switch 184 has been reopened.

The strands of yarn Y and Y are drawn from a suitable source and directed through guides 20, thence onto' packages 14 and 16. Positioned between the yarn traverse mechanism and the source of yarn supply, the compensator wheels 40 and 40a engage the yarn to maintain a constant tension therein. While rotatably mounted on shaft 52, the compensator arms (on which wheels 40 and 40a rotate) are not connected to one another except through projection means 134 formed on shaft 52 engaging the ear 136 on each arm block 126. Acting independently, each arm 42 and 42a is held in engagement with the shaft 52 via projection 134 engaging the respective ears 136 by reason of the yarn passing over wheels 40 and 4011. Upon a relaxation of the tension in the yarn passing over said wheels, compensator arms 42 and 42a drop or pivot in a counterclockwise manner (FIG. 2). As tension in the strands decreases, thereby allowing the compensator arms 42, 42a to drop transducer 150 is activated to speed up the motor and thereby increase the yarn tension to an acceptable value. In a contrary manner, when the yarn tension increases, the compensator arms are raised or pivoted in a clockwise direction (FIG. 2) and transducer 150 is actuated to slow down the motor and thereby decrease the yarn tension until an acceptable value is reached.

Concurrently with the operation of the above-mentioned tension compensating mechanism, and as explained heretofore, the tension on the springs 64 and therefore, through shaft 52 and compensator arms 42 and 42a, and ultimately on the yarn itself, is decreased at a constant rate as the packages 14 and 16 grow.

While both strands Y and Y are intact between their supply sources and respective take-up packages 14, 16 the winding process continues in the normal manner. However, when one or the other of the strands is interrupted the compensator arm (for convenience, let us assume that arm designated by numeral 42) over which the strand, now broken, has recently passed, drops under the influence of gravity and disengages its corresponding ear 136 from projection 134 on shaft 52. As the arm block 126 associated with arm 42 pivots downwardly, lever 180 thereon (FIG. 7) engages toggle 182 of switch 54, moving the latter to the position connecting lines 185 and 188 while disconnecting lines 185 and 186. While FIG. 7 illustrates compensator arm 42, switch 54, and the associated elements therebetween, the construction is identical for arm 42a, switch 54a, and their interconnecting elements. Thus electric current is caused to flow through closed switch 174a of relay 170, closed switch 120, and solenoid 92. Pawl 98 is withdrawn upon actuation of the solenoid, allowing bar 84 to drop to its inactive position. The tension of the spring 64 associated with tension arm 84 is thus removed from its application to shaft 52 and therefore from the remaining strand of yarn. As it drops, arm 84 strikes toggle 122 of switch 120 disconnecting line 188 from line 171 and connecting line 188 to line 172 thereby lighting lamp 124 as a signal to indicate that a strand of yarn has parted and that a hidden or unseen spring 64 is disengaged. Throughout this operation, it will be appreciated that relay armature 169 continues in its activated state by reason of the fact that switch 54a remains in its normally closed position. However, it will be understood that should both strands of yarn part or becomes exhausted, both arms 42 and 42a will drop with lever 180 of each engaging its associated toggle 182 to actuate their switches 54 and 54a from a position connecting lines 185 and 185a with line 186 to a position connecting lines 185 and 185a with line 188. With both switches 54 and 54a thus actuated, current no longer flows through relay 170 such that switches 190 return to their normally open position and deny current to motor M. The winding operation thereupon comes to a halt until such time that the operator rethreads the machine and again raises reset lever 106 to restart motor M. If when restarting either toggle 182 is accidentally actuated by hand (being near operators area) the solenoid could be actuated while actually still winding both ends. The lamp will then signal improper or halt tension winding.

Thus, it will be apparent that by employing the multiple package Winding machine disclosed herein, the parting of one strand of yarn will have no adverse effect upon the other strand or strands for the reason that the tension apparatus previously associated with the strand, since parted, is shunted from service at the time of the break.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, it is to be understood that various changes may be made to the apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention, it being intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A winding machine for winding a plurality of advancing strands of yarn comprising, a rotatable take-up unit, means for rotating said unit to wind the strands thereon, traverse means operable to move the strands to and fro of said unit during winding thereon, tension means for imparting a predetermined value of tension to each of the strands during winding, said tension value being correlated to the number of strands being wound, and control means operable in response to interruption of any of said strands for adjusting the tension output of said tension means correlative to the remaining winding strands of yarn to maintain the tension in said remaining strands at said predetermined value.

2. A winding mach' e as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tension means inc udes yarn engaging means; biasing means for urging said yarn engaging means into contact with said strands, and actuating means operable in response to signal from said yarn engaging means upon interruption of any of said strands for operating said control means.

3. A winding machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said yarn engaging means includes an independently movable member for engaging each winding strand, and said biasing means includes a plurality of biasing elements, the total force of said biasing elements when in an active position being correlated to provide the predetermined value of tension to the winding strands.

4. A winding machine as set forth in claim 3 wherein said control means includes a locking member normally holding said biasing elements in said active position, said locking member being operable in response to said actuating means for releasing a one of said biasing elements to an inactive position upon each interruption of a winding strand.

5. A winding machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein said actuating means includes electrical switch means, and a solenoid connected with said electrical switch means for operating said locking member.

6. A winding machine as set forth in claim 3 including a rotatable shaft, said yarn engaging members being independently movable on said shaft, attachment means connecting said biasing elements with said shaft to apply a torque to said shaft, and detent means on said shaft acting to urge said yarn engaging members into contact with an associated one of said winding strands, said yarn engaging members being movable to an inoperative position when said associated winding strand is interrupted.

7. A winding machine as set forth in claim 6 including a locking member normally holding said biasing elements in said active position, a solenoid for operating said locking member to release one of said biasing elements to an inactive position upon interruption of one of the winding strands, and electrical means operable as one of the yarn engaging members moves to said inoperative position to operate said solenoid.

8. A winding machine as set forth in claim 6 wherein said biasing elements are springs.

9. A winding machine as set forth in claim 6 including means for adjusting the biasing force of said biasing elements.

10. A winding machine as set forth in claim 7 including a manipulating member operable to engage said biasing elements with said locking member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,048,343 8/1962 Keith 24245 FRANK I. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

N. L. MINTZ, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A WINDING MACHINE FOR WINDING A PLURALITY OF ADVANCING STRANDS OF YARN CONSISTING, A ROTATABLE TAKE-UP UNITS, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID UNIT TO WIND THE STRAND THEREON, TRAVERSE MEANS OPERABLE TO MOVE THE STRANDS TO AND FRO OF SAID DURING WINDING THEREON, TENSION MEANS FOR IMPARTING A PREDETERMINED VALUE OF TENSION TO EACH OF THE STRANDS DURING WINDING, SAID TENSION VALUE BEING CORRELATED TO THE NUMBER OF STRANDS BEING WOUND, AND CONTROL MEANS OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO INTERRUPTION OF ANY OF SAID STRAND FOR ADJUSTING THE TENSION OUTPUT OF SAID TENSION MEANS CORRELATIVE TO THE REMAINING WINDING STRANDS OF YARN TO MAINTAIN THE TENSION IN SAID REMAINING STRANDS AT SAID PREDETERMINED VALUE. 